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Miles was still holding his neck with a pained expression on his face. And this Quentin guy next to him was holding him by the shoulder, talking to him.

Rebecca turned to me.

“You!”

I swallowed, searching for the hatred inside me, wishing it would overpower the shock of just now.

“Into my office!”

Falling Apart

Christopher Tyng

Emely and Nash had been supposed to take me to her office, but Alarik had intercepted us on the way and brought us to his office because he didn't trust the woman.

I prayed silently that she wouldn't find us, because the chaos inside me was greater than usual.

“You did what?” Alarik – dressed in one of his dark brown, tailored three-piece suits with a double-breasted vest – exclaimed calmly, turning from the large window to face me.

Emely, standing next to one of the crowded bookshelves, and Nash, sitting in the other armchair across from me, looked at me searchingly.

I pressed the bandage to my bleeding nose and swallowed the warm, metallic liquid that ran from my nose into my throat.

“He approached us,” I murmured.

And he was lucky to get away with just a small wound on his neck. It had probably already healed.

That insufferable Ruisangor!

“You're on the same campus. You've been taking seminars together for months.” Alarik sighed and took a big sip from his black Vanderwood mug. His messy hair made it look like he had just gotten out of bed. “Slowly but surely...”

“Kieran has only been here for two weeks,” Nash interrupted his uncle in annoyance.

Confused, I looked at my friend and raised both eyebrows as my gaze slid back to Alarik.

He nodded slowly, seeming deep in thought.

“That may be.” He turned to the two of them. “Then I wonder why you haven't made it clear to him that a peaceful coexistence is possible here.”

Emely’s jaw dropped and Nash began rubbing his temple.

“What do you mean?” I blurted out, jumping up from the armchair. “You’re not going to let those bastards push you around, are you?”

Alarik set the cup down on his desk.

“Kieran, calm down.”

I stepped toward him.

“I will not calm down!” Right in front of him, I stopped. He turned to me with complete composure. “The Ruisangors come here and threaten your niece and the pack, and you let them push you around, and not just them, but also her?!”

I hated myself for not even being able to talk about Rebecca without my voice breaking.

Nash remained seated, but Emely approached us, ready to pull me back if I went too far.

I glared at Alarik, caught the reflection of my yellow-glowing eyes in his, which were studying me intently. And the fact that he didn't seem the least bit bothered didn't make it any better. Worse, in fact. His expression became analyzing.

Had I said too much?